Thursday, July 29, 2010

Stashing

Are you a fabric stasher? I am definitely not. In fact this picture is probably about 80% of all my fabric. Don’t get me wrong when I first starting quilting I went through a buy-all-the-fabric-in-sight phase, but now I’m much more picky and limit most of my stash to basics and prints I really love. When I have too much fabric on hand I always feel a little pressure to hurry and use it….its a little stressful, which sounds silly but true!

Now I’m learning that I’m much happier when I buy what I need, when I need it, and that way I get to buy all the new fabric lines as they come out. Not that its bad to have a stash….I’m jealous of those of you who do…..I just can’t stand all that pretty fabric staring at me from its shelf begging me to use it instead of folding the laundry.

Anyways, in the midst of organizing I made some “for sale” piles of fabric pieces, mostly fat quarters and large scraps left over from past quilts. They are in the shop. (sold…man you guys are fast!)

I'm a definite stasher. And I'm the worst kind because when I use up the last of something, I panic and try to order more to replenish my stash. I just can't bear the idea of not having enough of a favorite print and can I tell you I have SOOOOO many favorites?? :)

Yeah you for self control. I wish I had more of it. So does my husband!

I do both! I stash my favorites because I am afraid to use them, but then other times I only go for what I need. And I definitely feel the pressue of the pretty fabrics on the shelf because I only try to buy what I love. If I wouldn't use what I make myself, I don't buy it. Love your scraps! Sad they are gone already. Do other people not sleep?! :)

I FOR SURE am a stasher! Big time. I buy what I love & too much of it :) My problem is finding time to actually put it to use. I really should have a de-stash sale like you did - thanks for the idea! Maybe someone else could love it as much as me :)

I am not much of a stasher either...can fit it all in three drawers. It's mostly leftovers but occasionally I buy something I am not sure what I will do with. It wouldn't take long to bust my stash! Liking your new home?? It is HOT in Ohio!!

Yes, I agree. My stash is very minimal. I have two plastic bins. One is fabric for quilts I am working on or about to work on. The other is fabric that I am not using that may end up in a quilt or may end up on ebay or at my friend's girl scout troop or someother new home.That's it.Your quilts are so beautiful, clearly having a minimal stash is not hurting your creativity in any way!

I am trying to get rid of my stash. It was very reasonable until I got boxes and boxes of my grandmother's fabric. I am trying to figure out what to do with a bunch of apparel fabric from the eighties and nineties. I have already gotten rid of the really hideous stuff and still have four huge bins of fabric!

I am a stash-a-holic. It is a problem. Fabric is taking up every room in our house practically. But you know, it makes me happy, and I really do plan to use it all someday. Also I figure most of it is really "hard to find" and "desirable" so if I ever decide to unload it I'm sure it will make someone else really happy just like your de-stash packs did!

boy I didn't even get a chance to look and they're all gone! oh well. I just organized my "stash" and I'm glad it's limited to one bookshelf (and it's not even over flowing!) You can take a peek here:http://blog.petitdesignco.com/2010/07/handmade-bookcase.html

Wow, you said it, they are fast. I'm reading this before 11am and I can't believe its gone...not that I need any more fabric. I have been very good about using from my stash. I was shocked once I got my fabic out of boxes and organized it into bookcases.

Its my goal from here on out to only buy what I need. I find having too much fabric makes me have far too many WIP's.

wow, I wish I could use up my fabric stash I've accumulated. I just need more time. Although I've been making a good effort in using what I have. I have been giving some away to friends, so that always helps. I hope to sometime not have as many fabrics...but we'll see.

Wowza! Those went quick. :o) They are so cute.I have a little button on my blog now, titled "bartering" where I am trading handcrafted jewelry for fabric scraps. I would love to have you come by some time. :o)Sincerely ~ Tricia

I do have a stash but I feel the pressure to make things with all of it and it can really clutter my mind!lol! I have really slowed down on fabric purchases and I have been thinking of destashing. Fabrics I loved 3 or 4 years ago I don't love so much anymore.

Like you, I went through a 'buy it all' phase, but have realized it is just too much. Now I focus on just getting the ones I really like. I am so kicking myself that I didn't check my Reader earlier and get on your Etsy shop. I am totally drooling over tons of that fabric for sale (especially that Pez!). Oh well, I didn't need it...it would just sit on my shelf...at least I will tell myself that.

Darn that food poisoning!!! I've been home sick for 2 days and haven't even turned my computer on til today! I have a stash and though it's nice to have, I do still tend to buy fabrics "just because". They tend to "speak" to me! I'm a freak I know! I'll know I'm over the edge when my stash starts to invade my son's 8' walk-in closet as my purses have! Take care!~ Jenn

Is stashing the same as hoarding? I have a bookshelf full of fabric. I don't even bother to put the lids on the plastic boxes anymore,lol. Trying to force myself to get through it and use it up so I have the perfect excuse to buy more!

I love it that you don't have a huge stash. I don't either, and I kept feeling like i need to build it up, but now I think I need to pair down to what I'll use. My fabric is staring at me too wondering when I'm going to use it all. I don't have heaps of space for storage either. Thanks for sharing.

I am a stasher and when you do that you end up with fabric and ask yourself why did I buy this. I have started to be more careful what I buy now and put projects together so I do not use the material for something else.Am glad the nearest quilt store is in St.Augustine. I have way too much fabric and could open my own store.LOL

I am a stasher, nice to have when you want to make something on the spur of the moment or want to try something new. Used to buy yards at a time but am enjoying the precuts now. Charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes. When I buy these I can get the whole collection(s) of new fabrics without breaking the bank.

My kids aged 23, and 26 check the bags when I come in to make sure I haven't been to Fabricland!They also scrutinize packages coming in the mail...I thought I got around the bag checks. NOT.SO, my stash, a tad embarassing....floor to ceiling in a dbl closet and a set of draws, and a storage bench. I think that's it. I NEED HELP.Brenda in Oshawa,

NO way! I use it then lose it... usually to a friend who makes boutique baby items. I buy fabric only with a certain project in mind, and when I'm done with it, I am DONE with it! I am piling all my scraps into groups now to give away on my blog in November (birthday month).

I am so glad you posted this. I am interested in quilting, and I love your style. I thought I would have to create this massive stash. Since I already have a yarn stash, I am pretty sure divorce would be uttered should I even consider a fabric stash. That is why I am so fascinated by using the scraps from others.

My first project will be a variation of the raw edge circle one as soon as my girls are in school this fall!

I know what you mean about stash stressing you out. I'm a sock knitter and always end up buying skeins of sock yarn that I fall in love with. But I want to cast it all on Right Now and it actually does stress me!

I've signed up for a 26 pair plunge (knit 26 pairs of socks in a year) and promised myself that by the end of the year I'll have used everything that was in my stash at the start of the year… hopefully that will work!

I have more fabric than I could possibly use if I lived to be 200 years old. And yet, I still buy more! I make quilts constantly, big quilts, little quilts, sometimes even huge quilts, and it never seems to make a dent in my stash! Occasionally, I give fabric away, but it's never enough to make a difference. I love all the fabric I have and always think I'll make a beautiful quilt from it one of these days. But then I buy more, newer fabric and I'm more excited by it, and I use it first, so I never get to that fabric I was going to use one day!